Best Fair/Festival

1. OC Fair

88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa; 714-708-1500; ocfair.com

Still going strong after 130+ years, the OC Fair is one of the area’s most anticipated events and draws more than a million people annually. Many are return visitors. No surprise there: trying to experience all the fair has to offer in a single day can be an exercise in futility.

OC Fair Communications Director Terry Moore calls the monthlong event a “much-loved summer tradition.”

“We hear wonderful stories about young families making memories just like the parents did when they were growing up,” she said. “It’s about friends seeing concerts under the stars and winning giant stuffed animals in the carnival. Most of all, it’s about being together and enjoying the fun you can only find at the fair.”

Activities include midway games, rides, the large Ferris wheel and entertainment shows at three different venues. The Action Sports Arena returned with demolition derbies, speedway races and monster trucks after being dark in 2020-21. The Hangar offered the usual tribute band favorites and the Pacific Amphitheatre’s music and comedic talent rivaled neighboring county fairs. Jackson Browne, Trevor Noah, Brett Eldredge, the Offspring, Counting Crows, Smokey Robinson, Culture Club were among this season’s performers.

Elsewhere, the fair’s visual and photographic art contest winners guarantee something stunning, while a visit to the war-themed Heroes Hall Museum and Education Center proves enlightening. The craft beer roundup, plus all the deep-fried and barbecue food are modern fair traditions.

JEFF GRITCHEN, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER The OC Fair draws thousands of fairgoers every summer to the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.

— George A. Paul

2. Orange International Street Fair

Old Towne Orange; orangestreetfair.org

For nearly 50 years, sights, sounds and flavors from other countries have enveloped Plaza Park and surrounding streets in the historic downtown district. The event began in 1973 as a way to mark the city’s centennial. Held over Labor Day Weekend, OISF regularly draws a few hundred thousand people.

Food and drink booths — sausages, barbecue and beer are quite popular — run by local nonprofit organizations spotlight over a dozen ethnicities. Last year’s fair featured Italy, France, Germany, Greece, Switzerland, Great Britain, Mexico, Australia, Denmark, Thailand, and others. Some local restaurants provide menu samples. Other booths sell high quality handmade arts and crafts.

There are eight stages of live music. Veteran OC Celtic rock band The Fenians is an OISF mainstay. One street is devoted to children’s food, crafts, games, activities, and a kids’ stage with familyfriendly performances by groups such as School of Rock. Admission is free and proceeds go to local nonprofit organizations.

Pageant of the Masters, which uses original music, storytelling, and stage illusions to recreate great artworks, started in 1932. The traditional “The Last Supper” finale originated in 1936.

According to Festival of Arts President David Perry, “the festival’s presentation of tableau art in the Pageant of the Masters, the quality and diversity of art displayed by exhibiting artists, and the timeless location in Laguna Beach,” help make the event unique.

Running July-September, the festival features numerous activities, including a weekly music series, family art day (plus the return of art classes, ceramics, and printmaking) and a festival runway fashion show. This year’s performers included Melissa Manchester, Mindy Abair, Jeff Lorber and Arturo Sandoval. Sixteen new artists were juried into the fine art show.

Perry notes the festival spent $20 million to renovate its facilities in recent years, which benefitted the community.

3. Festival of Arts/ Pageant of the Masters

650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach; 800-487-3378; foapom.com